SidneyAnne Shanahan
April 2023
SidneyAnne
Shanahan
,
BSN, RN, NIC
PICU-PR
Advocate Children's Hospital
Park Ridge
,
IL
United States
She coordinated the most thoughtful experiences with my sons. Documented their growth via pictures for me. She held my hand during a family doctor meeting and helped me ask all the right questions. She made sure I felt heard and understood what the doctors were saying.
My story started the night I went into labor. I was only 22 weeks and four days of gestation. I was informed that there was not much that could be done. If my water broke, my twin boys did not stand a chance. Although I originally had a horrible experience with some inexperienced residents and attending doctors, I would eventually end up in the right hands. My labor was able to be held for three more days, giving my boys a higher survival rate. I gave birth to my twins in October via c-section. I was unable to hold my babies or even see them until two days later. I eventually made my way down to the NICU. When I saw my babies for the first time, I was heartbroken. I thought how selfish could I have been. Forcing these tiny little things to fight for their life. I heard a voice telling me "They are fighters". My sons were in the NICU for 5 and 7 months.
Sidney held my hand through it all. Helped me with every question I had. Helped the providers with reliable information. She cared for my sons the way I would and gave me a peace of mind while I was unable to be there. She coordinated the most thoughtful experiences with my sons. Documented their growth via pictures for me. She held my hand during a family doctor meeting and helped me ask all the right questions. She made sure I felt heard and understood what the doctors were saying. She also reminded me to take care of myself when I was unable to think. She has been an angel on earth for me. I believe God had a hand in this situation. She truly became part of my family. We finally took my son home. While it was bittersweet, it was what we had prayed so hard for. I believe that nurses play a big part in a patient's healing process. Her good energy and happy spirit helped my sons. She cared for them so gently and gave them affection when I was unable to. For this, I will be forever thankful she was on our path. I have told her and will forever say she is a Godsend. She has a gift. Her kindness and caring nature are unmatchable. She was our primary nurse.
I was blessed with the best the NICU had to offer. They made the long wait for my sons to come home bearable knowing the team they were surrounded with. Thank you.
Sidney held my hand through it all. Helped me with every question I had. Helped the providers with reliable information. She cared for my sons the way I would and gave me a peace of mind while I was unable to be there. She coordinated the most thoughtful experiences with my sons. Documented their growth via pictures for me. She held my hand during a family doctor meeting and helped me ask all the right questions. She made sure I felt heard and understood what the doctors were saying. She also reminded me to take care of myself when I was unable to think. She has been an angel on earth for me. I believe God had a hand in this situation. She truly became part of my family. We finally took my son home. While it was bittersweet, it was what we had prayed so hard for. I believe that nurses play a big part in a patient's healing process. Her good energy and happy spirit helped my sons. She cared for them so gently and gave them affection when I was unable to. For this, I will be forever thankful she was on our path. I have told her and will forever say she is a Godsend. She has a gift. Her kindness and caring nature are unmatchable. She was our primary nurse.
I was blessed with the best the NICU had to offer. They made the long wait for my sons to come home bearable knowing the team they were surrounded with. Thank you.